used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
Ashford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
CANONnounUS /ˈkænən/
a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy
From this reading THE MINOR CANON.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
congenialadjectiveUS /kənˈdʒiːnjəl/
suitable to your needs
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
traveling across
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
Despard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
eloquentadjectiveUS /ˈeləkwənt/
expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
divisible by two
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
interlocutornounUS /ˌɪntərˈlɑːkjətər/
the performer in the middle of a minstrel line who engages the others in talk
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
listenersnounUS /ˈlɪsənərz/
plural of “listener” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
MINORadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading THE MINOR CANON.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
express in words
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
SignornounUS /ˈsiːnjɔːr/
used as an Italian courtesy title; can be prefixed to the name or used separately
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MINOR CANON.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
unsuccess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
unsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
precisely as stated
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
at the time that
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
which person or people
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
